Transition Brighton and Hove

There will be an informal joint meeting of the Forum and Enabling Group at the Werks, 45 Church Road, Hove, on Wednesday 25th August, 7:30 - 8:50 pm. The title is "TBH - the Way Forward", and we will be discussing ways of working together and expressing group solidarity.

Over four days in September 2010 (9-12 Sept) and two days in October (30-31 Oct) people will be able to visit up to 14 eco-houses in Brighton & Hove. The event is free and all are welcome, but some houses have to be booked in advance through the Eco Open Houses website.

The event aims to empower and inspire members of the public to make environmental changes to their own homes and behaviour through seeing what practical steps other local people have taken in their homes. It is about people learning from the experience of others and making positive changes to reduce their environmental footprint.

The houses demonstrate:

• environmental renovation / retrofitting
• insulation methods
• renewable energy
• reduced energy bills
• improved thermal comfort
• water savings
• waste water recycling
• rainwater harvesting
• green roofs
• natural and recycled materials

To see the event website and for more information please click Eco Open Houses website.

Eco Open Houses 2010 is a collaborative project between Brighton Permaculture Trust, Low Carbon Trust and Brighton & Hove City Council. This event is run is conjunction with Brighton & Hove Open Door and is funded by the Energy Saving Trust.

Various courses coming up from October...

Practical Permaculture Gardening
2-3 Oct 2010
Introduction to Photovoltaics
7 Oct 2010
Introduction to Permaculture
13-14 Oct 2010
Building with Rammed Earth and Chalk
16-17 October 2010
Self-building an Earthship
22-24 Oct 2010
Introduction to Permaculture
13-14 Nov 2010
Green Roofs
13-14 Nov 2010
Mushroom Cultivation
7-8 May 2011
www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

Magpie through their opt in collection are going to start collecting fruit and vegetable waste across the Brighton & Hove in the Autumn. Contact Rob rob@magpie.coop and he'll let you know when they start collecting (around September).
The food waste collection will be 80p+VAT/caddy (£20 to start off your account then there will be a deposit for the caddy and Magpie will deduct each time they collect).

The food waste will go to a large farm scale wormery project to make lovely compost. www.villagegreenrecycling.com

If you're interested in commercial food waste collections this company is collecting from businesses in Brighton already.

Some members of Transition Brighton & Hove have set up a Working Group to revise the Constitution. If you want to get involved or make comments, please email energy@transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk

Draft version here...



Transition Brighton & Hove
Constitution1. Name: The name of the association shall be Transition Brighton & Hove.
2. Type of association: Transition Brighton & Hove is an unincorporated not for profit association.
3. Objects: The objects of Transition Brighton & Hove shall be:
 Purpose and mission: Working together to promote the transition between fossil fuel dependence to local resilience.
 Aim: To develop and communicate a vision of the City of Brighton & Hove as a sustainable city with strategies to guide individuals and organisations. Examples are permaculture, the ‘green economy’ and an Energy Descent Resilient Action Plan.
 Aim: To empower individuals and organisations to become sustainable and resilient to the effects of climate change and fossil fuel scarcity.
 The following objectives: To raise awareness amongst those living and working in the City of Brighton & Hove of the issues arising from climate change and future fossil fuel scarcity.
 To provide educational material and similar resources to local groups that informs and encourages people and organisations to improve their resilience to diminishing resources.
 To promote, encourage and support local groups and individuals undertaking activities that help residents and organisations within the City of Brighton & Hove move to a sustainable way of life.
 To identify and support groups within the City of Brighton & Hove who will be especially vulnerable to climate change and diminishing resources.
 To work with the national Transition Network and similar organisations to research and develop alternative solutions.
Powers: Transition Brighton & Hove shall have the powers to:  Represent the interests of Brighton & Hove in the national Transition Network movement.
 Raise funds and collect resources to pursue the above objects.
 Employ staff to further the above objects.
 Form relationships and associations with other organisations having similar interests or objects.
 Do all such other activities, enterprises, projects and ventures as are lawful and desirable in pursuit of the objects of the organisation.
Membership: Residents of the City of Brighton & Hove who support the above objects, who are 18 and over or who are 16 and over and have the permission of their parents, may be members.
 Junior membership is open to all persons in the City of Brighton & Hove under the age of 18. Junior members not satisfying the conditions of 5.1 shall not have the right to vote at Transition Brighton & Hove meetings. They can form and participate in their own representation group. This representation group can be attended by a voting member, who may act as an observer and then represent them at meetings.
 Members have the right to be supported on equal terms irrespective of conditions which may give rise to discrimination.
 Every member must address every other member respectfully. The association will promote members’ freedom to circulate and criticise ideas.
 Members shall become voting members three calendar months after this is proposed and seconded at any meetings of the Forum, Working Groups of the Forum, Special General Meetings (SGMs), the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Interest or Neighbourhood Groups of Transition Brighton & Hove. This shall be recorded and sent to the Membership Secretary of the Forum.
 In the case of the Forum, AGMs and SGMs, a member may only vote if a voting member.
 The Membership Secretary of the Forum shall hold a voting membership list. Members already active in the association prior to the acceptance of this version of the Constitution shall become voting members.
 A member may on request have his or her voting membership terminated. A member’s voting membership may lapse after a year, as the Forum may specify in Transition Brighton & Hove Rules and Procedures.
Management:The management of Transition Brighton & Hove shall have no person in charge of the association.
 Governance of Transition Brighton & Hove resides with members who attend Forum meetings
Transition Brighton & Hove is an open network organisation comprising its membership and associated Forum and Working Groups, Interest Groups and Neighbourhood Groups and all aspects of its management shall be transparent to all members.
 The Forum will set up Working Groups to determine the outcome of issues and to facilitate tasks that it needs to perform. It may designate officers to attend Working Group meetings. Any member may attend and participate in such meetings, and vote if a voting member. The Forum may dissolve Working Groups, for example when their task is finished.
Forum meetings:Forum meetings will be held at a minimum of two monthly intervals and may be attended by any member, or if agreed, by members of the public.
 The full quorum of the Forum is 6 members, which may be modified at each AGM or SGM. A less than quorate Forum may proceed, but its decisions must be ratified by a subsequent fully quorate Forum meeting. 
 Notice of Forum meetings will be given at least two weeks prior to the meeting date. Dates, times and venue will be shown on the association website and/or communicated by email and newsletter.
 At each Forum meeting Working Groups may provide an update on key association issues and shall when necessary seek the approval of members for specific actions.
 Forum meetings will provide the opportunity for the association Groups to discuss and report back on current activities.
 The rules for conduct of Forum and Working Group meetings are given in the document: Transition Brighton & Hove Rules and Procedures.
Officers and Working Groups of the Forum:The officers of the Forum shall serve the membership and compriseThe Chair of Transition Brighton & Hove, elected at the AGM, or in default by a Special General Meeting (SGM).The Deputy Chairs of Transition Brighton & Hove, elected at the AGM, or in default by an SGM or the Forum. The Treasurer of Transition Brighton & Hove, elected at the AGM, or in default by an SGM or the Forum.A Deputy Treasurer and an Assistant Treasurer as cheque cosignatories, elected at the AGM, or in default by the Forum.The Administration Secretary, to manage the administration of the Forum, elected by the AGM, or in default by the Forum.The Minutes Secretary, to write and keep the minute file of the Forum, elected by the Forum.The Membership Secretary, to keep the Voting Membership List, elected by the AGM or in default by the Forum.The Facilitator of the meeting (see Glossary), elected at each meeting.The Webmaster, to maintain the website, as elected by the AGM, or in default by the Forum.The Newsletter Editor, to write the newsletter, as elected by the AGM, or in default by the Forum.The Group Support Officer, to support Working, Interest and Neighbourhood Groups, as elected by the AGM, or in default by the Forum.Mediation & Conflict Resolution Officers, to provide mediation and conflict resolution services, as elected by the AGM, or in default by the Forum.Education & Awareness Officers, to arrange educational events, as elected by the AGM, or in default by the Forum.Other officers of Working Groups, as elected by the Forum.Officers of external posts as nominated in that role and elected by the AGM, an SGM or the Forum.Other elected officers the Forum may deem necessary.
The Chair and Deputy Chairs are the public face of Transition Brighton & Hove, who may articulate the role and vision of the association, and who may be required to sign legal documents on its behalf. The Chair and Deputy Chairs of Transition Brighton & Hove have no decision-making power as such other than as voting members of the association.
In order to prevent conflict of interest cheque signatories must be dispersed throughout Interest and Neighbourhood Groups.
The Mediation & Conflict Resolution officers will have undertaken studies in this and have a track record in resolving disputes. Any member or Group may request the services of the Mediation & Conflict resolution officers, and TBH will facilitate the provision of Mediation & Conflict resolution services, allowing external sources.In the event of the resignation of an officer, the Forum may appoint a replacement until such time as a regular election may be made.
The Forum will endeavour to maintain balanced representation in numbers by Interest and Neighbourhood Groups in its Working Groups across ranges of age (for all those eligible aged 16 and over), race, nationality, class, political views, religious opinion, gender, sexual orientation, disability and other conditions in which discrimination may arise.
The Working Groups of the Forum compriseAdministration (officers: Administration Secretary, Minutes Secretary, Membership Secretary)Finance (officers: Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer)Group Support (officers: Group Support) Mediation & Conflict Resolution (officers: Mediation & Conflict Resolution)Media & Publicity (officers: Webmaster and Newsletter Editor)Education & Awareness (officers: Education & Awareness)Annual General Meetings (AGMs):The Forum shall convene an AGM within 15 months of the previous AGM, giving at least 21 days notice to voting members.
 The purpose of the AGM will be to:Receive the Annual Report of the associationReceive the independently examined accountsElect officers of the associationReceive and vote on proposals to change the Constitution
The quorum at an AGM shall be 12 members, modifiable subsequently by the AGM.Special General Meetings (SGMs): The Forum may, at any time, call an SGM either for the purpose of altering the constitution or for considering any matter which the group may decide should be referred to the members in general.
 The Forum shall also call a meeting at the written request of not fewer than 6 members, who shall give reasons for the request.
 At least 21 days notice should be given to members on the calling of an SGM, stating the purpose of the meeting and any resolutions to be made.
 The quorum of an SGM shall be 12 members, modifiable subsequently by an SGM or AGM.
  Interest and Neighbourhood Groups:
An Interest Group is a group with the objects of Transition Brighton & Hove, covering a topic area connected with those objects, or covering a project furthering those objects. A Neighbourhood Group is a group based in a locality of Brighton & Hove with the objects of Transition Brighton & Hove.
Any three individuals who are in agreement with the objects of Transition Brighton & Hove may form an Interest or Neighbourhood Group. The Forum must ratify this within three months, otherwise the Group is deemed independent of Transition Brighton & Hove until such time as approval of the Forum is obtained. The Interest or Neighbourhood Group must be provided with space on the website to advertise its meetings and promote its projects.
The Forum derogates power to its Interest and Neighbourhood Groups, except as set out in 11.7 below. Each Interest or Neighbourhood Group will define its own Constitution, way of working and tasks to be performed. In this it may be assisted by the Forum. 
The Forum shall not override the tasks which an Interest or Neighbourhood Group has set itself.
 Interest and Neighbourhood Groups are encouraged to send delegates to Forum meetings to report back on their activities. They may seek assistance from the Forum in pursuit of the tasks they have set themselves. Likewise the Forum may request, but not mandatorily direct, the assistance of Interest and Neighbourhood Groups in the pursuit of tasks which it wishes to perform.
To encourage cohesion and dialogue, Interest and Neighbourhood Groups are encouraged to promote cross-membership between Groups.
 Officers of an Interest or Neighbourhood Group which has not met for three months must hold talks with the Group Support Officer of the Forum. The Group Support Working Group may make recommendations in this circumstance on measures to reactivate meetings of the Group, which may be mandatory. The Forum is empowered to dissolve an Interest or Neighbourhood Group which has not met for 6 months.
If at any stage the legal status of an Interest or Neighbourhood Group becomes incompatible with the legal status of Transition Brighton & Hove, the Group shall be deemed an affiliated Group with the same rights and responsibilities as an Interest or Neighbourhood Group.
Finance:Finances may be obtained by means of such lawful fundraising activities as the Forum may deem acceptable. All monies raised by, or on behalf of, Transition Brighton & Hove shall be applied to further the objects of Transition Brighton & Hove and for no other purpose.
The treasurer shall keep proper accounts of Transition Brighton & Hove and shall open a bank account in the name of Transition Brighton & Hove. Reports on the finances will be made to the Forum regularly. At least three members shall be signatories to the bank account and at least two of these signatories will be needed to withdraw any monies. Signatories will not sign ‘blank’ cheques.
The accounts shall be independently examined each year. The examiner shall not be an officer or participant of the association Forum or Groups.

Alterations to the Constitution:Any alterations to the constitution shall require the approval of a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at an AGM or SGM.Change of association status:
Should the Forum decide by a simple majority vote that it is in the interests of Transition Brighton & Hove to change its status, this shall be done by resolution at either an AGM or SGM.The association may by resolution and majority vote of members:Amalgamate with any other associations or society or other body having similar objects.Convert itself into a company (Limited or otherwise) under the companies acts.Convert itself into a charitable trust or incorporated charity under the charity acts.The association shall be responsible for any costs associated with amalgamation or conversion.
All monies and assets held by the association at the time of amalgamation shall be transferred to the new organisation.
Dissolution:If the Forum should decide by a two-thirds majority that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve Transition Brighton & Hove it shall call an SGM of all the members of Transition Brighton & Hove, with at least 21 days’ notice, stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed to the meeting.
If the decision to dissolve is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at the meeting, the Forum shall have the power to dispose of any assets held by Transition Brighton & Hove.
Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any debts and liabilities shall be transferred to a local Brighton & Hove not for profit organisation with similar objects as approved at the dissolving meeting.










    Transition Brighton & Hove Rules and ProceduresRules and Procedures:Except where specified in the Transition Brighton & Hove Constitution, officers of the Forum, Interest Groups and Working Groups must advertise meetings at least a week in advance, and ensure where possible that meetings occur at regular times and at regular venues.
Every effort must be made so that Group meetings do not clash with other meetings of the organisation.
Notes shall be taken at all meetings during the meeting itself.
The default is that minutes (italicised items are described in the Glossary) of a meeting shall be produced. Alternatively in a task oriented meeting, the meeting may adopt an action list.
Meetings shall appoint a facilitator.
Voting procedures may be invoked in a meeting.
Forum and Working Group meetings may amend and adopt new rules and procedures for their own use by the voting procedures documented here.
Glossary of terms:Minutes. A list of attendees, apologies for absence, agreement of the previous minutes as a true record (with any amendments), matters arising from the minutes, discussion of agenda items with whom to action tasks, report by officers and any other business. It is important to allow flexibility in the discussion to allow impromptu items on the agenda.
Action list. Used for allocation of people to tasks with deadlines. The format of this is: description of task, people allocated to it, deadline, estimated date completed and date completed. This is rolled forward at each session (so the task once completed only stays on the list for one session). No record of general discussions is kept.
Facilitator. The role of a facilitator is not to express opinions, but to allow discussions to take place. He or she will pace the meeting, and sometimes limit discussion, so that there is enough time for discussions on all needed items.Voting procedures. Where the meeting decides that a recorded decision needs its authority to proceed, a vote shall take place. This may take place immediately if it has the complete consent of the meeting.Otherwise a motion shall be recorded, proposed and seconded, a debate may take place, and a call to the vote (which may itself be voted on) shall be made. In the case of a tie, a casting vote of the facilitator shall be made.
In the case of an amendment, this may be accepted or rejected by the proposer. If not accepted by the proposer, it needs to be seconded to continue. Amendments shall be taken from last to first in terms of voting, unless there is general agreement to do otherwise.
Voting shall be by show of hands, unless a secret ballot is proposed and seconded.
If at any stage it is proposed and seconded that the interests of a minority represented at the meeting needs special consideration, the meeting may decide by a simple majority vote to adopt 2/3 majority voting. Otherwise, the meeting will adopt simple majority voting, with the casting vote of the facilitator in the case of a tie.

7:30pm Wednesday 28 July
The Werks, 45 Church Road, Hove

We need to nominate someone to the Brighton Sustainability Group. Please send suggestions to energy@transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk.
The Forum meets on the last Wednesday of every month

Summer Council Meeting
The Road to Mexico
Saturday July 24th
The Friends Meeting House
Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AF East Sussex
1.30 pm – 5.30 pm
A follow-up to last year's conference at the IMO on climate change, we now look forward to the international negotiations in Mexico in December

Speakers:
Bernadette Vallely CE Women's Environmental network
“The impact of Climate Change on Women”
Polly Higgins, Barrister, Advocate of Planetary Rights
“ Preventing Ecocide: the Legal Way Forward.
Debbie Tripley CE Environmental Law Foundation
“Climate Change advocacy at the local level'”

Followed by refreshments, and Action Workshops. All Welcome

To help us plan, please register in advance with Joyce Edmond-Smith: jedmondsmith@yahoo.co.uk – 01273 680705,

Directions: To get to the Friends Meeting House Ship Street from the station:
Go down Queens Road opposite the station. Go straight on down past North Road and Church Street, and turn left at North Street. Ship Street is the first turning on the right. Follow Ship St round to the left and the Friends Meeting House is directly on left. About 6 - 10 minutes from station. For those coming to Brighton earlier it is very close to the sea front.

Not an official Transition event: Open Space is a fundamental in the Transition Towns tool kit.

This workshop invites those who are new to using Open Space Technology and those who already have some (or even extensive) experience of using it to co-learn together, deepen our practice, and share our experiences.

It will be run as an Open Space so that participants can learn experientially, while learning how to design, prepare and facilitate an Open Space event, including tips and tricks, likely issues that may be encountered, follow up and incorporating an event within a wider context or strategy.

For booking go to > http://decisionlab.org.uk/open-space-training (and also for details of FacilitationCamp, London 9-10 July, and more)

News: Transition Town Totnes, the epicentre of the Transition Network, have just launched their much anticipated 'Transition in Action - Totnes and District 2030, an Energy Descent Action Plan (EDAP)'

Many are already recognising the importance of it, and it has created a wave of excitement. Get a flavour of it, get inspired, order your copy or read it for free online: http://totnesedap.org.uk/ and read Rob Hopkins' overview of the exhaustive participatory process which led up to it: http://transitionculture.org/2010/04/28/how-the-totnes-edap-came-to-be/

Saturday 19 June 2010 from 10am until 5pm
Friends Centre, 35 New England St. Brighton

This highly acclaimed one-day course, run by an experienced facilitator from COIN, will give you the skills, ideas and confidence to persuade others to act on climate change. Arrive keen to speak out on this issue, but not an expert, and leave able and prepared to deliver ahard-hitting half-hour talk.



Cost: Individuals £35
Local Authority / Business £75

To book a place or find out more please contact Friends Centre
Tel: 01273 810210
Email: info@friendscentre.org


Really inspired me and has given me the confidence to talk about climate change in public.
Cathy Tate Project Worker

A fantastic, informative course.
James Oxenham Barman

17 June, 7.30pm, Free
Pheonix Community Centre, 2 Phoenix Place, Brighton, BN2 9ND

Learn about: how solar works, how communities can earn money through government Feed in Tariffs and how we're going to set up Brighton's largest renewable system.

Speakers:
Howard Johns (Southern Solar),
John Mcx, (Solar Century)
Will Cottrell (Brighton Energy Co-op)

Click here for a map or contactinfo@brightonenergy.org.uk for details.

This year's much anticipated national conference is taking place at the epicentre of the global Transition Towns movement, in Devon. There's a good chance it will sell out, but there are still early-bird discount tickets until 23 May.

Click here for booking, £prices, programme, accommodation and to generally get inspired.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/conference-2010-uk
Round up of latest happenings on planet Transition, and sign up for the newsletter:
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/news/2010-05-10/may-round-whats-happening-transition

Hope you’re all well and enjoying the sunshine! The Transition Community Allotment workday this Saturday 5th (and every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month - next 19 June) from 12-4. We’ll be planting squash, turning the compost, earthing up potatoes and weeding. And if the weather is nice and sunny we may also make some elderflower champagne!

Come and join us and feel free to bring friends or family members with you! The allotment is located next door to the Whitehawk Community Food Project. Where? Next to the Whitehawk Community Food Project Also:
The next Transition Food Group meeting is on Tuesday the 15th of June at 7:30pm at the Earth and Stars pub on Church Road in Brighton (just off Queen’s Road). We’ll be talking about plans for some upcoming events, as well as progress at the allotment. Hope to see you at one or the other!

Kind regards
Ann



Contact > Simon Powell 01273 690497 sim_pow73*AT*yahoo*DOT*co.uk

You might also want to know about Grow Your Neighbour's Own

Saturday 24 July, 10:00 am - 2:00pm
Whitehawk Community Food Project

Course capacity: 12 places (adults only please)

What the course covers:
How to select plants for seed, the characteristics of different plant families, and the practical techniques involved in collecting and processing seeds of a variety of crops (threshing, winnowing etc).

What you will need on the day:

This course will be taught outdoors so please dress warmly and wear waterproof shoes and jackets. All tools and materials will be provided by the trainers. There are toilet facilities on site. Tea, coffee and snacks will be provided.

Trainers: Whitehawk Community Food Project

About the site: Whitehawk Community Food Project is a friendly, allotment-based organic gardening group. Volunteer days are Thursdays and Sundays 12pm-dusk and anyone who helps out on the allotment will be rewarded with fresh seasonal produce. This is a well-established site with beautiful sea views, polytunnels, orchard, and vegetable and herb gardens.

Find a map at: http://www.thefoodproject.org.uk/howtofindus.html

Fees: £25 / £5*

Discounts:

*Through our funding from the Big Lottery Fund and the kind support of those paying full price for the courses, we are able to offer a limited number of subsidised course places. These are available to people who are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits, or are the unwaged dependant of someone receiving these benefits: Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Housing or Council Tax Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Carers Allowance and Pension credit (Guarantee Credit only). Please ensure you are able to provide proof of benefits if requested. To get this discount please use discount code HBHSCA.

Booking:

Call 01273 431 700 or go to www.harvest-bh.org.uk/events to book your place.

Saturday 3 July, 10:00 am - 2:00pm
Whitehawk Community Food Project

Course capacity: 12 places (adults only please)

What the course covers:
Learn how to anticipate, identify and minimise pest and disease damage the organic way, including cultivar selections, crop spacings, pest barriers, encouraging natural predators etc.

What you will need on the day:
This course will be taught outdoors so please dress warmly and wear waterproof shoes and jackets. All tools and materials will be provided by the trainers. There are toilet facilities on site. Tea, coffee and snacks will be provided.

Trainers: Whitehawk Community Food Project

About the site: Whitehawk Community Food Project is a friendly, allotment-based organic gardening group. Volunteer days are Thursdays and Sundays 12pm-dusk and anyone who helps out on the allotment will be rewarded with fresh seasonal produce. This is a well-established site with beautiful sea views, polytunnels, orchard, and vegetable and herb gardens.
Find a map at: http://www.thefoodproject.org.uk/howtofindus.html

Fees: £25 / £5* 
Discounts:
 *Through our funding from the Big Lottery Fund and the kind support of those paying full price for the courses, we are able to offer a limited number of subsidised course places. These are available to people who are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits, or are the unwaged dependant of someone receiving these benefits: Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Housing or Council Tax Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Carers Allowance and Pension credit (Guarantee Credit only). Please ensure you are able to provide proof of benefits if requested. To get this discount please use discount code HBHSCA.

Booking:
Call 01273 431 700 or go to www.harvest-bh.org.uk/events to book your place.

The Seven Stars, 27 Ship Street Brighton, a few doors up from Friends Meeting House, 6:00pm onwards. All welcome.

Come and enjoy a drink with some like minded people. You might be deeply immersed or working in sustainability or environmental areas, working for the 'other side' but green at heart, or not very green at all but think you might like to dip your toe in over a glass of ale and have a mingle.

Green Drinks is a monthly occurrence, usually on the third Thursday of each month

Sign up for (low volume) mailing list: alicecdoyle*AT*gmail.com
Green Drinks Brighton website

http://www.sevenstarsbrighton.com